Despite the blue blood marquee presence of Kansas, the Big 12 Tournament often surprises. In fact, Iowa State has proven to be quite the upstart. ISU has beat the college basketball betting line to win three of the last four Big 12 Tournament titles. However, nobody is expecting anything out of the Cyclones this year. Kansas itself has won six Big 12 Tournaments since 2006. With a national ranking of sixth the Jayhawks will garner plenty of gambling support. But West Virginia, Texas Tech, Kansas State and Oklahoma could be wild cards.
Big 12 Conference Tournament
Date and Time: Wednesday March 7 through Saturday, March 10, 2018
Location: Sprint Center, Kansas City, Missouri
NCAA Betting Online Odds at SBG: Click here!
Big 12 Conference Tournament TV Coverage: ESPNU, ESPN2, ESPN
Overview
Big 12 Tourney action begins with the bottom four teams playing on Wednesday. Thursday will feature four games with the remaining eight teams. Friday’s card will feature the two semifinal games. Saturday night is the championship game on ESPN. Kansas may be the public choice but there are good smart money alternatives.
Kansas Jayhawks
As Big 12 Regular season champions the Kansas Jayhawks bring an impressive resume. Beyond that their rich history makes them a perennial favorite with the college basketball betting line. Head coach Bill Self’s team seems to be peaking at the perfect time. With senior guard Devonte Graham, the Jayhawks boast one of the top players in the league. Problematic for gamblers is KU’s status as a public blue blood. Kansas covered just half of their games this season. And the Jayhawks limp in with just three payouts in their final nine games.
Oklahoma Sooners
At first glance the Oklahoma Sooners would appear to be a sportsbook online longshot in the Big 12 Tourney. Yet OU boasts the best player in the league with Trae Young. Further adding to the Sooners case is a win over Kansas earlier this year. But Oklahoma was 10-19 vs. the odds this season. Additionally, they got the money in just two of their last ten games.
Texas Tech
Texas Tech makes for an appealing dog with bite. Defensively the Red Raiders are among the best in the nation. Most noteworthy is their ranking of 16th in the country for points allowed. However, Tech failed to get the money in their last five games. Inconsistency on offense also hurts TTU.
West Virginia Mountaineers
Head coach Bob Huggins and the West Virginia Mountaineers also offer much appeal. Few teams in the Big 12 are as well balanced. WVU plays hard on both ends of the court. Fresh off a Sweet Sixteen appearance last year the Mounties won’t lack confidence.
Kansas State
Kansas State offers the best board value coming into the Big 12 Tournament. With four payouts in their last six games the Wildcats are in good form. Due to an offense that ranks 210th in the country gamblers should not fall too hard for KSU.
Matchup to Watch
Finding the alternative to Kansas is the college basketball betting line challenge. This where West Virginia comes into focus. Huggins is a top shelf coach with a tough team that plays a complete game. Another advantage WVU has over the Jayhawks is on defense. Finally, KU attracts too much public money. Overlays are the rule rather than the exception for Kansas.
Big 12 Conference Tournament Betting Odds Picks
Bargain hunters looking for a top value should consider West Virginia. Especially relevant is that the price should be right for the Mounties.
Big 12 Conference Betting Online Pick: West Virginia Mountaineers